Lennar’s “May Short Sale” – pricing on Move-In Ready Homes from the Low $100s – going on at Communities in Orlando Region

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar’s Central Florida division is offering below market “short sale” pricing through May at select communities in the Clermont, Orlando and Space Coast areas on brand new move-in ready single-family homes and town homes from the low $100s.

David Parker, director of sales and marketing for Lennar in the Orlando region, said a limited number of homes are available, but every one of them is priced to sell quickly.

There’s no reason for homebuyers to settle for a used outdated home, Parker said. Lennar’s list of select homes in Central Florida that are available now at below market prices include luxury features and upgrades at no additional charge, he said.

Savings range from $42,000 to $66,000 on move-in ready homes at communities such as Independence in Winter Garden, Nona Terrace in East Orlando, Stoneybrook Hills in Mount Dora, Legacy and Heritage Hills in Clermont and Cortland Woods at Providence in Davenport.

“We plan to sell every one of these homes before the end of the month,” Parker said.

Startup Companies Vying For Spots in University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program

ORLANDO, Fla. – Twenty startup companies will make final presentations before the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program’s selection board next week as part of the application process to qualify for admission to the UCF Business Incubation Program at one of nine incubator facilities in Orlando, Winter Springs, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, Leesburg or Daytona Beach.

Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, said the presentations tell the selection board if the companies are a good fit for the program.

“The companies aren’t competing against each other, but the presentations reveal if they are at a point in their development where they can benefit from the incubation program,” Dr. O’Neal said.

When the Volusia County Incubator opens, The UCF Business Incubation Program will support more than 100 startup companies selected for admission on the basis of their potential for success. Client companies range from technology companies focused on military and scientific markets to development of alternative energy to consumer fare such as a local beverage producer.

“We look at a wide range of factors, such as the qualifications of the principals and executives, their ability to develop their products and services for the marketplace, and the potential for commercialization of those products and services,” Dr. O’Neal said.

The UCF Business Incubation Program provides a range of support services including office space, telecommunications and planning, business development, sales and marketing coaching and assistance in development of capital resources.

“We are focused on one goal---to help our client companies become successful. Do that right and we generate local economic benefits such as the creation of quality jobs in the local area,” Dr. O’Neal said.

“Studies have shown that this sort of ‘homegrown’ economic development is by far the most cost-effective way to generate new jobs and economic growth.” he said.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program

Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 160 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight – and soon nine – facilities opened across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and will be adding Volusia County. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.

First Green Bank of Eustis’ Chief Financial Officer Melissa Atkins is finalist for CFO of the year award

EUSTIS, Fla. – Melissa Atkins, chief financial officer at First Green Bank of Eustis, was recently named a finalist for the CFO of the year award by Orlando Business Journal, the weekly business publication that serves the Central Florida region.

Kenneth E. LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said Atkins was a member of the senior management team who founded First Green Bank in 2008 and ranks as one of the region’s most knowledgeable financial officers.

Atkins attended Campbell University in North Carolina and worked her way up the ranks at Florida Choice Bank – LaRoe’s former bank which was also in Lake County – from 2000-2008, prior to the establishment of First Green Bank.

“Melissa is a highly skilled, dedicated financial officer whose integrity, knowledge and judgment are a tremendous asset to First Green Bank,” LaRoe said.

Atkins and First Green Bank colleagues plan to participate in the CFO of the Year awards ceremonies in Orlando in June, and LaRoe said he thinks Atkins has earned the top honors.

“She has played a major role in the success that we have achieved in this market since we opened in 2008,” LaRoe said. “I don’t know of a more qualified chief financial officer in the Central Florida area,” he said.

First Green Bank is one of the first of its kind in the U.S. to focus on positive environmental and social responsibility while operating as a traditional community bank.

First Green Bank has facilities in Eustis and Clermont and plans to open a new 11,000+ square foot LEED Platinum-registered headquarters facility in Mount Dora in June.

Lennar Offers Buyers Chance At Super Deal: Sealed Bid Auction of Eight Remaining Homes at Sorrento Springs at Eagle Dunes

SORRENTO, Fla. --- Lennar is offering home buyers the chance for a deal of a lifetime at Sorrento Springs at Eagle Dunes Golf Club located off S.R. 44 near C.R. 437 in Sorrento. Sealed bids will be accepted during business hours on Friday or Saturday, May 20 and 21, on eight remaining single-family homes at Sorrento Springs at Eagle Dunes.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the sealed bid offering is a first for Lennar in Central Florida. All bids must be submitted in person at the Lennar Welcome Home Center at Sorrento Springs at Eagle Dunes Golf Club between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Metheny said bids will be reviewed on Saturday after the close of business and winning bidders will be notified on Sunday.

“This is an exciting offer and we’ve already received more than a dozen calls about it,” said David Parker director of sales in the Orlando region. “We expect to see a lot of new home buyers for the auction,” he added.

New three, four and five bedroom single family homes at Sorrento Springs at Eagle Dunes Golf Club range in size from 1,341 square feet to 3,210 square feet priced from the $130s.

Visit www.Lennar.com.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects completes design work on two Publix Supermarkets

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently completed design work on two Publix Super Markets Inc. grocery stores and both of them — one in Brevard County and the other in Sarasota – are under construction.

Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said one Publix store, located near Viera Blvd. and Stadium Parkway in Viera is 56,000 square feet and the other Publix facility located off Bee Ridge and Beneva Rds. in Sarasota is 45,000 square feet.

Palma Maria Restaurant in Casselberry Celebrates 30th Anniversary

CASSELBERRY, Fla. — Palma Maria’s Italian Restaurant is celebrating its 30th anniversary in May.

The Rosinola family opened the Palma Maria Restaurant at 1015 SR 436 in Casselberry in May of 1981.

John Crossman, president of Crossman & Company, the real estate firm that manages the Summit Plaza where Palma Maria Restaurant is located, said the restaurant serves a wide variety of Italian specialties including hand-made breads and marinara sauce.

The Rosinola family named it after the mother, Palma Maria.

For more information, visit palmamaria.com.

Lennar is offering Seven Percent commission on sales of new homes that sell and close in May at Orlando area communities

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lennar is offering Central Florida realtors and brokers a whopping seven percent commission on new homes that sell and close during May throughout Lennar’s Clermont, Orlando and Space Coast area communities.

Mark Metheny, president of Lennar’s Central Florida Division, said the seven percent commission applies to select new homes priced from the $100s in select Lennar communities.

David Parker, who heads the sales and marketing division for Lennar in the Orlando region, said pricing has been reduced to record lows in all Lennar communities in the region.

“Every Lennar community has ready-to-move-in homes available, and they all feature Lennar’s “Everything’s Included” promise,” Parker said.

Lennar’s “Everything’s Included Homes” offer just that — everything from appliances, countertops, fixtures, security, landscaping, literally everything — in one price.

Parker said Lennar is also offering below market mortgage rates during the sales event.

Visit www.Lennar.com.

Marketplace Advisors Negotiates Two New Retail Lease Agreements for 3,540 Square Feet of Space in Lake Buena Vista

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Marketplace Advisors, Inc. recently negotiated two new long-term lease agreements that total 3,540 square feet of retail space at Blue Heron Beach Resort Shopping Center on Blue Heron Beach Drive off S.R. 535 in Lake Buena Vista.

David Marks, president of Marketplace Advisors, Inc. negotiated both lease agreements representing the landlord, ORL Commercial Center, LLC.

Premium Photo Outlet, Inc. leased 1,883 square feet at the retail center. M&O Wireless LLC, leased 1,657 square feet.

The center has only two remaining bays available, with a Letter of Intent out to a prospective tenant for one of them.

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty Appointed Exclusive Sales, Marketing Agents at Johns Lake Point in Winter Garden

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty has been named exclusive sales and marketing agents at Johns Lake Point, centrally located on Avalon Road in Winter Garden.

Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said associates Jennifer Gonzalez and Luis Gonzalez of Stirling Sotheby’s Heathrow Gallery are representing the Johns Lake Point developer Misty Ridge Ventures in sales of nine new home residences on the property priced from the $160s to the mid $400s.

Altogether, 323 new homes are planned at Johns Lake Point in three distinct villages with 50-, 75- and 85-foot lots. In addition, construction will start this summer on a 4,000 square foot amenity center with fitness facilities, a junior Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts and children’s play area.

Stirling Sotheby’s associate Jennifer Gonzalez said new three to six-bedroom homes at Johns Lake Point range in size from 1,600 square feet of living space to 3,800 square feet, some of which are situated on preserve and pond front homesites.

Gonzalez said close proximity to Orlando’s main arterial highways – State Roads 408 and 429 and the Florida Turnpike – makes Johns Lake Point within easy access to anywhere in the metro Orlando area.

“Our onsite model sales center is now open,” Gonzalez said.

Photo Gallery: http://www.stirlingsir.com/eflyers/johnslake/gallery/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TWnFWV1cQ8

About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty:

Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, commercial, property management, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates three performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.

NAI Realvest negotiates new industrial lease for 16,916 Square Feet at Monroe CommerCenter North in Sanford

MAITLAND, Fla. --- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 16,916 square feet of industrial space at Monroe CommerCenter North in Sanford.

Michael Heidrich, a principal in the firm, brokered the transaction representing the landlord, Maitland-based COP-Monroe North, LLC.

SCT Performance, LLC of Sanford leased the property at 4150 Church Street Suites 1018 and 1024 for its high-performance automotive products and custom engine tuning dealership.

About NAI Realvest:

NAI Realvest, covering all of Central Florida, is a fully integrated commercial real estate operating company specializing in brokerage, development, investment, leasing and management, consulting and research services in the U.S. and worldwide through NAI Global, an international commercial real estate network with over 350 offices spanning the globe. Since 1978, clients have built their businesses on the power of NAI Global’s expanding network. Extensive services include multi-site acquisitions and dispositions, sublease, tenant representation, lease administration and audit, investment services, due diligence and related consulting and advisory services. To learn more, visit www.nairealvest.com.